Huskers Have High Hopes for 2009

Familiar faces will dot the diamond for Nebraska in 2009, as the Huskers return 15 letterwinners from a year ago, including every starter and nearly every key reserve. While many of the faces will be the same, NU expects the "look" of the 2009 Huskers to be drastically different from last year's squad, which came up one win short of earning the program's 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.

With nearly the entire roster returning and the addition of six talented newcomers, the 2009 Huskers are set to put the disappointments of 2008 behind them.

"Last year is gone, but not forgotten," NU Head Coach Rhonda Revelle said. "We didn't have the kind of season we expected but the great thing about this year's team is that everyone went through the ups and downs of last season together and that really brought them closer as a group. The whole team has really used last year as motivation for this season, and I expect to see a confident group take the field this spring."

The true potential of this year's team really started to emerge late last season, when Nebraska defeated three Big 12 teams in the final week of the regular season before advancing to the title game of the Big 12 Championship. Along the way, NU defeated a pair of top-20 teams that won regionals in the NCAA Tournament, giving the Huskers the belief that they could compete with the best. With every starter returning, that belief has carried over into this season, giving Nebraska a renewed sense of confidence.

"Everyone felt like we were building something special at the end of last season," Revelle said. "The team has worked very hard in the offseason, and we're all excited to finally get back on the field and show the country that Nebraska softball will be a team to be reckoned with in 2009."

Nebraska will be led in 2009 by a strong seven-player senior class, the largest in Head Coach Rhonda Revelle's 17 seasons. That comes in stark contrast to the makeup of last year's squad, which featured Revelle's largest freshman class ever and no seniors for the only time in the 34-year history of the program.

The senior class is not only large in numbers, but large in talent. Four of the seven seniors have already earned All-Big 12 honors in their career. First baseman Crystal Carwile is the most decorated of the group, having earned three consecutive appearances on the all-conference squad.

Beyond the infield, Nebraska's three senior outfielders each possess the potential to play at an All-Big 12 level. Meghan Mullin earned second-team honors last season, while Haley Long was a second-team selection in 2007. Darcy Rutherford has not yet earned an All-Big 12 award in her career, but she certainly has the potential after batting .325 with 26 runs scored and 11 stolen bases last season. Together, the trio has combined to start 303 career games in the outfield entering 2009.

The senior class also possesses strong battery mates. Right-hander Molly Hill, who underwent knee surgery just prior to the start of the 2008 season, earned All-Big 12 honors in 2007 when she won the Big 12 ERA crown with a mark of 1.05. Expected to catch Hill is Amanda Duran, a two-time first-team junior college All-American who hit .279 with 20 RBIs in 29 starts last season before suffering a season-ending injury.

"Our seniors have made an impression on this program since the moment they stepped foot on campus," Revelle said of the senior class. "They immediately established a great work ethic as freshmen in 2006, and we went on to have a great season that year. They have continued to work hard and with their collective talents and leadership abilities, we believe they can and will lead this team to great things this season."

While the senior class will be the strength of the team in 2009, Nebraska also added an All-American to its roster when right-hander Robin Mackin chose to pitch for the Huskers following a standout two-year career at Fresno State.

"Robin is obviously a huge pickup for us," Revelle said. "Anytime you can get an All-American in the circle, it makes you a much more dangerous team. We really feel strongly that pitching will be a strength for us this year."

Mackin has not competed collegiately since 2007, as she redshirted in 2008 while training with Team Canada and Head Coach Lori Sippel for the Beijing Olympics. She also took the fall semester off to rest from her rigorous summer schedule and to rehabilitate a nagging injury. A 2007 NFCA third-team All-American, Mackin posted a 64-25 record at Fresno State with a 1.45 ERA and 771 strikeouts.

With such a strong foundation of all-conference-caliber players and the benefit of a full year of experience for second-year starters at second base, third base and shortstop, Revelle can hardly contain her excitement for what she believes could be a banner year for the Huskers in 2009.

"There has been so much excitement and enthusiasm engulfing this program since last season ended, I can't wait to see how all of that energy manifests itself once we get onto the field."